Marriage and Family Therapy with Sheila Bost LMFC
Time really is a circle; I can see that now. We are trapped between a past we can’t return to and a future that is uncertain. And it takes guts to live here, in the hard space between anticipation and realization”
Kate Bowler, No Cure for Being Human
Virtual Sessions throughout California & In-Person Sessions in Los Angeles
It’s never too late to choose something different.
All of us grow up coping with traumas big and small that inform who we become as adults. As a result, we develop habits, thinking patterns, and beliefs that keep us chained to a life of suffering.
And because we gather these coping mechanisms at such a young age, they can feel normal. Even safe.
And when we experience trauma as adults, we often lean on these “normal” ways of coping. So we stay stuck and overwhelmed.
But suffering does not need to be your normal. And you can find safety in new, exciting, fulfilling experiences that may require a little courage but will feel oh so worth it in the end.
How do I know this?
Because I’ve spent most of my life helping folks just like you do exactly this. It’s why I know that it is never too late to choose a different life.
You get to choose a reality where you feel safe and free.
One where you feel like you’re in the driver’s seat again, accepting challenges as they come and leaning on tools that help you build resilience rather than falling into victimhood.
Victor Frankl says,
Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation.
Victor Frankl
You can’t choose your circumstance but you can choose how you respond.
That’s resilience. And that resilience is freedom.
I look forward to guiding you toward a life that feels free.
Services
Family Therapy
55 Minute Session
$225.00
75 Minute Session
$330.00
Child and Pre-Teen Therapy
50 Minute Session
$195.00
I Specialize in Helping You With Challenges Such As...
Meet Sheila
Hi, I’m Sheila Bost, California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
And I’m so glad you’re here.
You’ve just taken a courageous step clicking on this site, and I do not take that lightly.
I want you to know that I believe in your ability to live a big, beautiful, joy-filled life regardless of what you’ve experienced, who you’ve been, and what you believe to be true about yourself right now.
As a therapist of over 25 years, I’ve guided clients from a place of deep struggle, to a place of empowerment again and again.
From a place of fearing the future, to a place where they’re seeing life as an endless adventure – equally full of opportunities and challenges where the challenges only grow them into stronger, wiser, deeper individuals.
And I know this can be your story too.
I see this work as a sacred calling, and I consider guiding you through this work to be the highest privilege.
Life can throw us immense challenges, and to hold space for you to process yours is an honor.
So if you’re ready to take the driver’s seat again, and begin responding to your circumstances with a sense of agency and power, I invite you to book a consultation by clicking the button below.
We’ll take some time to get to know each other and determine whether we’re the best fit.
In support of your healing,
Sheila
A word from my wonderful clients...
I will be forever grateful for my experience in therapy with Sheila.
I found therapy to be one of the most beneficial investments I could have ever made into myself and the relationships in my life. Sheila patiently and kindly worked with me to uncover the childhood issues that had plagued me into early adulthood, and guided me through a transformative healing process to turn my old pain cycle into a new peace cycle. I noticed a tangible difference in myself and my way of thinking, and so did my closest family and friends. And most importantly, the change has been lasting and I haven't found myself falling into old habits or ways of thinking despite adversity. I'm viewing life through a healthy lens now instead of a broken one that felt so normal at the time, and I will be forever grateful for my experience in therapy with Sheila.
Sally
She’s kind, caring, wise and truly committed to helping you move toward a better place.
Sheila is amazing! She’s such a wonderful therapist and helped me so much. She’s kind, caring, wise and truly committed to helping you move toward a better place. With Sheila, you’re not just a “number” or a “client”, “you’re a person worthy of care.
Josh
Sheila is incredible.
When the inevitable conflict or misunderstanding comes along, it sure is nice to have some practice language and principles that we both understand to help us through it. We found the Restoration Therapy Framework to be extremely effective and accessible. Sheila is incredible.
Delores
FAQ's
I see therapy as a journey of integrating all parts of who you are by accepting what’s hard and treating it with self-compassion.
Rather than giving you the answers, I honor your inner-knowing, leading you toward your own answers with questions and encouragement.
Your emotional pain is a messenger that wants you to know something’s not right. Together, we’ll find the root of your pain with loving curiosity –whether it stems from a traumatic experience of the past, or a limiting thought pattern you’ve adopted without realizing it - and determine which psychotherapy techniques will work best for your healing.
My hope is that you leave therapy feeling seen, heard, understood, and equipped with the tools you need to take your next step.
Have you ever shared your troubles with a friend and found yourself later wondering if you shared too much, took up too much time, or didn’t ask them enough questions in return?
Our therapist-client relationship is different from all other relationships in your life because our focus is 100% on you. While you may be committed to reciprocating effort with a friend, with your therapist you need only show up and open up.
And in return, I can offer my trained listening ear, guiding questions, and advice rooted in years of experience and education to lead you toward a life that feels more free.
Even our most emotionally evolved loved ones can’t help but be emotionally intertwined with our struggles. When you see a therapist, you can share without the filter you might employ with those closest to you. You’re able to be more honest, and therefore discover more about yourself and your relationships so that you can begin to heal.
Parents usually seek therapy for their children due to some kind of conflict at home or school. I work with the child and parent to obtain insights as to what makes their child feel safe and loved. I utilize art, music, puppets and sandbox play with the children to help them. Therapy for children can be fun and beneficial.
I look forward to consulting with and learning from the parents about their child. I can promise you that I will care deeply about your child.
Absolutely. As a practicing Christian, I am happy to integrate a faith perspective into our sessions.
If you are deconstructing your faith or have experienced spiritual abuse, please let me know and I will hold space for this during our sessions.
And if you are not a Christian, I will withhold my own Christian perspective and offer a free space for you to explore your own values and spiritual beliefs.
I have worked successfully with clients from all different faith backgrounds and promise to honor and respect wherever you are on your own journey.
Please call 424-645-7113 or use my portal to email me at bostlmft@gmail.com. I will arrange a 20 minute consultation at no charge to answer your questions and determine if we are a good fit.
You can pay by check or credit card at the end of each session. I accept all major credit cards.
I do not take insurance, however, you may still qualify for financial compensation depending on your health insurance policy.
Before starting therapy, I recommend calling your insurance company to understand your options.
Here are some questions to ask your insurance provider:
- Do I have out-of-network mental health coverage for outpatient services?
- What is my deductible, and has it been met?
- For an out-of-network provider, what percentage of my bill will be covered?
- How many sessions will be covered per calendar year?
If you are able to use your insurance for coverage, I will provide a monthly superbill for you to send to your insurance provider.
No one therapist is the best fit for everyone, and that’s okay.
If you don’t feel that we are a good fit, please let me know as soon as possible so that I can either adapt our sessions to better fit your needs, or provide you with a referral for a different therapist.
Some clients see changes within the first few sessions, whereas others need more time to integrate their learnings. Therapy can be challenging because –just like when you begin a new workout program – it might take time before you start to feel stronger. It takes time to adjust to the new forms of movement, just like it takes time to adjust to the new ways of thinking and being.
That being said, the more committed you are to making empowering changes in your life, the faster you will see results. Being able to name your pain can be a real game changer!
I am here to guide you toward the life you desire, but ultimately it is your choice to implement your learnings and do the life-changing work mapped out in therapy. You get to be the ultimate change-maker of your life, and it is my sacred work to encourage you and guide you along the way. Showing up with openness and consistency is key.
Yes, definitely. You are welcome to book just one session and see how you feel before committing to more. Therapy is a long-game, but it’s important that you feel comfortable with my therapy style first.
Non-emergency cancellations must be made 24 hours before the scheduled session to avoid a full charge.
“No shows” will be charged the full session fee.
Just like you, I lean on the support of family, community, friends, and my own therapist to navigate life’s challenges. (And I’ve had plenty of them!)
I am a proud resident of Los Angeles and I love living in a city so rich in culture.
As an Angeleno, I’m an equal fan of the beach and the Dodgers.
And when I’m not cheering on my favorite baseball team or breathing in fresh ocean air?
You can find me reading in preparation for my monthly book club where we discuss our monthly read, films, plays, restaurants and current events. It’s the best!
Or spending time with my twelve(!) grandkids.
Courage, dear heart.
C.S. Lewis